Fighting Foreign Illegal Seafood Harvests Act of 2025; FISH Act of 2025
Summary
The Fighting Foreign Illegal Seafood Harvests Act of 2025 (FISH Act) aims to combat illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing globally. It mandates the creation of a "black list" of foreign vessels engaged in IUU fishing and imposes sanctions on individuals and entities involved. The Act also encourages international cooperation and provides resources for technical assistance and data collection.
Expected Effects
The FISH Act will likely lead to increased monitoring and enforcement against IUU fishing activities. This includes potential trade restrictions and sanctions on offending parties. It also aims to improve data collection and international collaboration to combat IUU fishing and associated forced labor.
Potential Benefits
- Enhanced protection of marine ecosystems by reducing IUU fishing.
- Improved food security by ensuring sustainable fishing practices.
- Increased transparency in the seafood supply chain.
- Strengthened international cooperation in combating IUU fishing.
- Protection of labor rights by addressing forced labor in the fishing industry.
Potential Disadvantages
- Potential for increased costs for seafood importers due to enhanced scrutiny.
- Possible trade disputes with countries whose vessels are blacklisted.
- Risk of unintended consequences for legitimate fishing operations.
- Increased administrative burden for government agencies.
- Potential for retaliatory measures from sanctioned countries.
Constitutional Alignment
The FISH Act aligns with the Commerce Clause (Article I, Section 8, Clause 3) by regulating international trade related to seafood. It also aligns with the Necessary and Proper Clause (Article I, Section 8, Clause 18) by providing the means to enforce these regulations. The Act's provisions for sanctions and enforcement are subject to due process considerations under the Fifth Amendment.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).